Skate boot

Abstract

A skate boot is described which includes an overlapping tension strap extending from the medial side of the outer sole to the medial lacing band, and the lacing passes through eyelets provided in the tension strap. The lacing bands are arranged such that in the bottom portion thereof below the tarsis, they are symmetrical to a line drawn approximately over the highest ridge of the dorsal of the foot, that is, at the first or second metatarsal and above the tarsis they are symmetrical with the axis of the anterior tibial tendon so that the lacing is evenly distributed on either side of the highest ridge of the foot in these areas. A liner is provided in the rear part of the boot such as to provide lateral support. The liner is relatively stiff but is provided with cutouts allowing the boot to flex in the dorsal-plantar flexion direction.

We claim: 
     
       1. A skate boot comprising a sole and an upper fixed to the sole, a runner support mounting a linear runner attached to the sole such that the linear runner is in a plane extending longitudinally, centrally and normally to the median plane of the sole, the sole including a toe portion, a shank portion and a heel portion, the sole including a medial edge at the juncture of the upper and sole and a lateral edge on the other side of the upper, the upper including a pair of eyelet band means defining a tongue opening, lacing means between the eyelet bands, tongue means extending between the eyelet bands covered by the lacing means, a single tension band attached only at the medial edge between the shank and toe portions in the area of the ball of the foot and overlapping the corresponding upper wall to terminate at the corresponding eyelet band, the tension band having eyelet means to be engaged by the lacing means such that the lacing means extends between the eyelet means on the tension band and eyelet band on the lateral upper wall whereby the tension band when engaged by said lacing will apply tension to said medial edge of the sole and thus to said runner when the skate boot is under compression by a foot during supination motion thereof with the foot pressing on the lateral edge portion of the sole and simultaneously on the tongue means and lacing thereof during the skating pattern. 
     
     
       2. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, wherein an anatomical inner sole is provided within the skate boot on said sole, the inner sole having a ridge provided between the toes and the ball of the foot to provide a pressure ramp for the toes while the foot is arched in the skate boot, the rear of the inner sole being sloped to the contour of the heel of the foot to provide a tight-fitting base for the heel of the foot. 
     
     
       3. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, comprising a one-piece liner located in the rear of the boot at least above the heel counter and including an upright portion overlying the achilles tendon area and a pair of side members overlapping the ankle area on either side of the upper, the liner including a pair of slots opened at the top thereof and extending for a major extent of the achilles tendon portion between the achilles tendon and the ankle portions, the one-piece liner being of material relatively stiffer than the material of the upper in order to reinforce the upper and protect the foot and whereby the slots thereof permit dorsal and plantar flexion of the foot when in the boot. 
     
     
       4. A one-piece liner as defined in claim 3, wherein horizontal slots are provided between the achilles tendon guard extension and the achilles tendon guard portion to enhance the dorsal-plantar flexion of the foot. 
     
     
       5. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the tension band includes a plurality of parallel slits in the direction of the tension forces, dividing the single tension band into a plurality of sub-band portions extending from the medial edge to locations near the eyelet means on the tension band. 
     
     
       6. A skate boot having a sole and an upper, the upper defining a pair of eyelet bands spaced apart to form an elongated opening to accommodate a tongue, tongue means, lacing means extending from the inner eyelet band on the inner side of the boot to the outer eyelet band on the outer side of the boot, the eyelet bands being symmetrical to a longitudinal line drawn in an area including the first and second metatarsal bones of the foot below the talus and symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the anterior tibial muscle above the talus such that when the foot is arched it presses against the tongue in an area containing the so-drawn line. 
     
     
       7. A skate boot as defined in claim 6, wherein the tongue means includes a multi-layered member for overlying the metatarsal and talus of the foot, the multi-layered tongue member comprising a lower soft resilient layer member adapted to be in contact with the foot and a pliabale outer surface layer stitched along its edges to the lower layer for forming an envelope therewith, a first base layer located within the envelope and being sufficiently rigid to provide a laterally bowed shape to the tongue but sufficiently flexible to allow dorsal and plantar flexion of the foot, a guard layer within the envelope and overlying the base layer, the guard layer being of material relatively more rigid than the base layer, the guard layer being laterally bowed relative to the base layer such that any pressure on the tongue from the lacing means will be transmitted to the guard layer which in turn will distribute the pressure on the surface of the base and conform the tongue further to the contour of the foot. 
     
     
       8. A tongue member as defined in claim 7, wherein the radius of the guard layer is smaller than the radius of the base in the lateral extend such that the guard member when pressure is applied will further bow the base member to form the contour of the foot.